There have been moves on the German market, which is a key buyer of Kerrygold butter, towards GMO-free labelling

Glanbia is an Ireland-based but global food company.
—

GM-free dairy poses "complex" questions for Irish producers

Louise Hogan
Farm Ireland, 2 Oct 2017
http://www.independent.ie/business/farming/dairy/gmfree-dairy-poses-complex-questions-for-irish-producers-36166866.html

Glanbia warned the industry must be certain that the move towards GM-free dairy is a long-term trend rather than a fad as it involves significant cost.

There have been moves on the German market which is a key buyer of Kerrygold butter towards Genetically Modified free labelling.

Sean Molloy, Glanbia Ireland's director of strategy, said GM-free was becoming quite apparent as a "requirement" in some continental European markets, particularly Germany.

He said it was being studied carefully by Glanbia and at industry level.

"It is very complex in the supply chain to achieve the level of tolerance that would be required for GM-free," he said.

Mr Molloy stressed they were keen to be able to respond to customer requirements. It follows their move towards the marketing of their Truly Grass Fed brand in the US which operates to different standards of GM-free.

Mr Molloy said they would not be "found wanting" if GM-free dairy is what is required to satisfy key markets.

"Ornua have a significant presence in Germany with the Kerrygold brand and they'll be acutely aware of the trend within that market there.